H G Wells

H G Wells, the pioneer of science fiction, spent his apprenticeship as a draper at Hyde's Emporium in King Street, Portsmouth, from 1881 to 1883. He did not enjoy the experience and finally, after several entreaties had fallen on deaf ears, walked the 17 miles to the Uppark estate, where his mother was employed, to ask to be released from his apprenticeship. He was allowed to and resumed his education.

It is interesting to note that a young doctor, Arthur Conan Doyle, set up his practice just across the road in 1882 so two of our most famous authors resided in the same road at the same time in Portsmouth.